Golden or lab?

[Dixie Dog]

I am fixing to get a new dog and i am leaning toward a golden because I've heard they are more calmer than labs. Is that true and what are ya'lls suggestions.

[Chevy]

I have always favored the labs, but goldens are very gentle dogs. I would say it would depend on what you wanted to use the dog for. I think that the labs are best suited when it comes to cold weather and water. The goldens longer hair seem to give them a problem in these situations.
I really don't think you can go wrong though.

[Anatidae]

Boy!......this is gonna be a 5-gallon BUCKET o' worms, turned up-side-down!

I think alot depends on what you want in a dog and what you can reasonably expect. There's different types in every breed......just depends on the breeding.

We've had Goldens......never had a Lab.......so I'm not gonna get caught-up in comparisons. We've had a laid-back, "I'll do anything to please you", long-haired bundle of sweetness that just made you feel better just being around her, and we presently have the 'tazmanian retrieving maniac', that's blistering fast, athletic, hard-headed, "I'll do it MY WAY.....IF I NEED ANY HELP, I'LL LET YOU KNOW", fight anything that's larger than me, roll in anything that stinks and expect to sleep in the bed with you' dog. Both got the job done, both were a pleasure to hunt with and both have a huge place in our hearts.

'Just depends on the breeding.

[Sunchaser]

I hunt with a Golden and have been very pleased. I think you should definitely consider buying from a hunting line, though. Goldens are such popular pets that they have been bred for show and fluff (e.g., long flowing white-ish coats) and many feel that the breed in general has lost some of its hunting instincts. Look for more than obedience titles in pedigree.

I have never owned a lab so I cannot really make the comparison you ask for. However, I can tell you that my Golden is very obedient, has been easy to train (intelligent), is a good swimmer, and has an outstanding desire to retrieve. He is a very dark reddish color and his coat is not as long and flowing as the "pin-up" Goldens. Chase is also a great pet and a member of my family. I am sure the same can be said of many if not most labs.

I also think Anatadie (sp?) hunts over a Golden who is from a very reputible blood line. (Edit - He posted just above me while I was writing this post)

[00ducksr.]

world famous HONEY HOUND she is our furry daughter we love her with all our heart. She has gone with us every where. she loves the water and loves to retrieve,but she sleeps in with the moma the only form of real duck she ever had has been off the grill she has gone to the duck club but only for photo opps i think some of the advise above about finding a golden with the desire to hunt would be good advise i personaly think a lab would be easier to keep clean because of thier coats.good luck but which ever you chose make them part of the family good luckagain in your search

[RIP EM]

Ford vs. Chevy
State vs. Ole Miss
Beretta vs. Benelli
Honda vs. Yamaha
Labs vs. Goldens
I prefer Labs.... cause dats what I got right now.
Your gonna find good ones, and not so good ones, no matter which way ya go !

No such thing as a bad dog !

Just some are better than others !

Good luck !

Rip Em !

[marionfd708]

as most everybody has said,(it is just you preference).i have always had labs.they have been super to trian and would do again think i said to.i have seen goldens just the same.my bro-in-law has always had goldens.had one that was an all out get out of my way kind of dog and has one now that is more laid back than bill clinton when he did not inhale,but she still gets the job done.i don't think you make a bad choice with either dog.just depends on how much time and love you give to it and it will make you happy.good luck
kev.

[goosebruce]

Whatever you get, make sure it comes with a health guaretee from parents that have their health clearences and ht/ft titles. The price you pay for a dog is the smallest part of the investment. Buy quailty, you'll greatly increase the odds of having the dog of your dreams. travis

[Bustin' Ducks]

Labs are my choice...but buy what you like..you are the one that has oo look and deal w/ the doggie...

[SoftCall]

I have one of each. The golden is calmer but not as fast. The lab is faster but not as calm. The golden has a better nose but the lab marks better. The lab swims better but the golden can tread water and submerge in deep water to get that cripple better. The golden drinks beer and the lab hasn't aquired a taste for it yet. Both hate the smell of cigarettes and both stink like all get out.

The lab licks more.

The golden gets more cuckle burrs.

The lab farts more.

They track the same amount of mud in the camp house.

The golden drags more water in the boat.

They are both wonderful around kids.

You can't go wrong either way as long as you get the right dog with the drive to hunt.

Good luck!!

[eastwoods]

Great response Softcall, don't know to many who can actually give that accurate of a comparison.

As already posted, buy what you want, but buy quality. The price you pay for a quality pup is small compared to what the dog will cost you money wise and enjoyment wise.

I'd pay $500 or more for the bloodline, with one or more MH parents or 3 or more FC grandparents. It'll be easier to find labs with those qualifications, but that's not a loaded statement just what's out there on the market. You'll have more choices with labs is all I mean. Stay away from CH dogs or show dogs.

OK, I can't stop myself. Anybody, ever notice how ugly those really good golden's are? Are those Field Trial Golden's really dogs? heheheheheheheheehe

Did I say they aint much to much to look at, I didn't say that.

[Delta Duck]

I had a pair of Golden's, boy do I miss them The names were Charter and Sprite. I had them in my drinking days. Two of the most loving friends you could have. Since then I've had 3 labs, CP, BW, and Delta. Sure brings back some great memories. Each of the dogs will turn into what you want!

[acendhole]

I'm partial to Labs. I've had Labs all my life, and have my best by far right now. I used to run UKC and AKC hunt test with my male Lab. I've seen some very nice Goldens do some really pretty work, but when it comes down to drive, be it cold water or ice water, the Labs seem to have more drive. My Labs live outside during the day, and inside at night. My female is high strung, but very obediant and managable. My big male 26" at the shoulders 115# trim, is laid back. My male laid back except when hunting.
What ever you get, you won't go wrong. Pay a little more, get a puppy from good stock, spend loads of time with it and have fun. Keep things fun for the puppy and don't rush it. Remember that without obediance, you can't train the puppy to do anything.

[hawkeye]

I promise you, whichever breed you get, after about 2 weeks, you won't care what breed it is, you'll love it more than you ever thought you could.

[Wildfowler]

The golden drinks beer and the lab hasn't aquired a taste for it yet.

That's because her mother is a teetotaler. But your dog's mother will eat the celery out of my Bloody Mary. Go figure???